In our public schools, educators are preparing students for post-secondary opportunities in college, careers and — often overlooked but just as important — community.

Many of our schools engage in projects that expand learning opportunities while encouraging students to be community-minded.

One example is the annual Laulima Toy Drive organized by Maemae Elementary third-graders. For this project, charity literally begins at home where students do chores for allowance. They later combine their earnings and collectively decide on a budget to purchase toys and games for needy children. Time management and budgeting are crucial at this stage for youngsters.

Maemae Principal Lenn Uyeda says the project produced hundreds of gifts during the past Christmas season for children at Kalihi Uka and Kalihi Waena schools, an example of students helping their neighbors. At the end of the project, teachers reflected with the students about their experience: how hard they worked, how to budget their money, and most important, how good it felt to give for a good cause. The children experienced the value of giving and expecting nothing in return, while employing economic and financial strategies. These types of fundraising projects provide valuable learning opportunities for students.

I commend state Sen. Jill Tokuda for recognizing the educational value of such activities when she introduced Senate Bill 2423. That bill died this session, but schools do not deserve being mischaracterized.

Earlier this month, the Star-Advertiser suggested charitable activities in schools could be "efforts to get around the State Ethics Code" and might use "students for private business purposes" ("Set boundaries for fundraising by public schools," Our View, Star- Advertiser, April 1).

Both Maemae and Pauoa Elementary participate each year in the Jump Rope for Heart (JRFH) event. Principal Sean Tajima says Pauoa has been doing JRFH for nine years, and many parents have shared positive comments about the fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Pauoa has an elaborate JRFH set up, including a dozen different fitness stations for every class to rotate. The kids get a good workout and learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

This type of giving and service to the community happens at schools outside of my complex area and even at the secondary levels. In our high schools, the Hawaii State Board of Education Recognition Diploma is an honor available to seniors who graduate with a 3.0 grade-point average or higher and participate in a senior project.

Mariecarl Baliscao of Waipahu High School’s Class of 2014 called her senior project, "Cut for Cancer," lining up Fantastic Sam’s and Supercuts to provide $10 haircuts to students and faculty — or have them donate at least 10 inches of hair. All hair and funds went to the nonprofit Locks of Love, which provides vacuum-fitted hairpieces to children suffering from medical hair loss. She raised more than $200 and 370 inches of hair.

Next month, Mariecarl will graduate as one of Wai-pahu’s valedictorians, earning a BOE Recognition diploma. She and the many other students who participate in the act of giving are making a difference in our communities, one lesson at a time.

In the education of life, making a difference to any degree in enhancing the lives of others is what we should all hope for from our children.